Workplace safety is a matter of high concern for any business. Accidents occurring in a workplace could lead to fatal injuries which can affect a worker’s life, health and ability to earn an income. According to the National Safety Council, someone is injured every seven seconds on the job. Injuries in the workplace include those from – slips and falls, over exertion, falling from heights, falling objects, vehicle accidents, and assault. Common injuries include cuts, lacerations, and muscle strains. In some cases, these injuries can even be fatal. In fact, there were more than 5,200 fatalities reported in 2018 alone. Injuries or illness occurring in the workplace are compensable via the workers’ compensation program. Medical records review is an important aspect when reviewing a workers’ compensation claim because without proper medical records, no specific documentation of the Injury or illness can be done. Determining eligibility for workers’ compensation benefits involves collecting related medical records, medical record organization and comprehensive analysis of the documentation. Workers’ compensation claims can have a direct impact on an employer’s bottom line. Claims can result in high workers’ compensation premiums, affect workers’ morale, and create labor shortages that can in turn affect productivity. Irrespective of the efforts taken, accidents can occur at any moment and therefore effective management of a workplace safety and health program as well as management of claims is important (right from the moment it occurs) in any organizational set up. 

Getting injured at work can be a really scary and stressful time and experience as far as a worker is concerned. Workers may be experiencing the pain of the injury, but also may be thinking about whether they will lose their job and how they are going to pay for the medical bills. As mentioned earlier, a worker getting injured in a workplace accident is entitled to receive workers’ compensation benefits to pay medical bills and lost wages, as well as possible permanent disability benefits. However, there are certain important steps that workers need to take so as to not jeopardize the claim which are discussed below –  

• Seek Immediate Medical Attention – Seeking immediate medical attention for the workplace injury is one of the important steps, even if a person initially feels that the injury is minor or not serious. This step also ensures that a person receives proper medical care, and medical records can protect an employee in any case of disputes with their employer’s insurance company about whether the nature of injuries was really work-related. In order to initiate a compensation claim, it is important to have a physician complete a “Request for Compensation” form within 90 days of injury. The time period of 90 days is given as the injury may not seem severe at first, but chances are that after a few days, a person could be experiencing pain. Not all type of injuries may present symptoms immediately. Therefore, it is best not to wait until the last minute, and make sure to consult a physician as soon as possible. 
• Report Injury to the Employer – Do this as soon as feasible after suffering an accident or injury. Workers are required to notify their immediate supervisors or managers within 30 days of suffering an accident or from the first signs of an occupational illness. Failing to timely report the injury can result in a denial of benefits or claims. It is important to report the incident as soon as possible as it reduces the chances an employer claiming that the injury did not occur at work. This is a crucial aspect even if workers do not know the severity of the injury and whether it will need medical treatment. 
• Fill Out a Workplace Injury Report – As per the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, employers are obliged to keep workplace injury reports available for employees. When an employee gets injured, it is important to demand to fill out the report. Even when an employer says it is not necessary, workers must make sure to get a copy for the records. 
• Take Photos and Videos – Taking specific photos or videos of where the accident occurred as well as the injuries is important as this will come in useful when making a compensation claim. Taking photos from a variety of angles can help better support the claim. 
• Maintain a Post-accident Journal – Immediately following an injury, it is important to take notes to document the case. This is important because physicians may not always maintain a full record of the symptoms. They often tend to concentrate only on the most important details and this can make it difficult to attribute an injury to the accident months later. In such cases, maintaining a journal may help to remember all details related to the injury. For instance, if an employee sustains a head injury or concussion, it is very difficult to remember all the facts in details. Therefore, try to note down details like – the place where the accident occurred, the date and time of the accident, the names of witnesses (if any) and an employee viewpoint about the reasons that caused the accident. In certain cases, an employer may try to frame a case that a worker didn’t sustain an injury on the job. In such situations, maintaining a detailed journal can help make a strong claim and provide the required evidences for making compensation.
• Keep a Record of Expenses – An employee must keep track of their expenses and losses as it will come in handy while processing the claims. For instance, if an employee lost pay due to the accident, he/she should be able to recover it and the same goes for promotions and bonuses. The more documentation an employee has, the more accurate their settlement will be. Keep in mind that a personal injury claim can last a few years, so it is imperative to record everything down. 
• Make a Claim – After suffering a workplace injury, it is important to submit a claim for workers’ compensation. Workers’ compensation is covered by the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board. The benefits will cover the cost of medical bills, treatments and missed work, regardless of how it happened or who is responsible for it. To get maximum benefits, it is important to prove or show how the nature of work contributed to the disease or injury. 
• Consult with a Workers’ Compensation Attorney – Hiring a reputable workers’ compensation attorney is another important step to consider while filing for injury claims. Medical records are significant in a workers’ compensation claim or lawsuit involving an injury or illness. An experienced attorney representing injured workers utilizes medical review solutions to gather evidence and other related medical records. They review these healthcare documents in detail and make sure the injured worker receives all important benefits he/she is entitled to, especially when an employer is disputing their claim. The reports prepared provide an accurate evaluation of the injury-related medical need, identify causality and medically related treatment, and help in preparing evaluating, negotiating and settling a case.

Workers ’ compensation attorneys and the medical record review companies that assist them with medical record documentation  are well aware of the complexities involved in processing a workers’ compensation claim. Injured workers who have doubts or concerns regarding their eligibility for benefits can obtain proper counsel from an experienced attorney as this will increase their chances of winning the claim. 

Ensuring the health and safety of workers and preventing the occurrence of workplace accidents should be a priority for any employer or company. Employers must meet regularly with their employees and discuss health and safety issues. This will help minimize the risks associated with injured or ill employees, absence, workers’ compensation lawsuits, and develop a culture of safety throughout the workplace.